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The trial of a British soldier who allegedly broke into a house in Tyrol in western Austria and sexually abused a six-year-old girl has been delayed whilst the defence seeks to get a psychiatrist's report on the soldier's state of mind at the time.

The trial of the 30-year-old paratrooper, who has been charged with rape and grievous sexual abuse of a minor, was due to start on March 10th. He is serving with the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.

Dr Andreas Stutter, a spokesman for Innsbruck’s Regional Court, told The Local that the start of the trial was likely to be delayed for a week or more, whilst the defence tries to ascertain if the soldier was sane at the time of the crime. He faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.

He was taking part in a week of ski training in the Alps in November last year and was reportedly caught “half-naked” by the girl's father in the house in Neustift during the alleged incident.